Which network dealer can I trust?
Discussion
Hi, I have just bought my dream car, a T350c in british racing green. Fantastic car but the problems have started already. Nearside rear exhaust rubber mounr split so need a new one, will probably replace both at same time, Windows are sticking against the seals, rear glass hatch lock plays up and took 15 minutes at station before I could fill up, Very loud sqeak from alternator belt on start up from cold, and last my feet got so hot in pedal area in this weather that I was unable to drive further from tge discomfort. Do any of the above sounf familiar. Finally I have 3 dealers to choose from as I do not want to invalidate my remaining 2 year warranty. Castles, Gatwick or Barnet Centre. Please help with any advice. Other than the above I F-----g love this car.
theaxe said:
You won't get any -ve comments due to this site's policy.
This is a key point. Unfortunately you can get a false read of the quality of dealer's reputation, if you only look here. There will always be folks who say so and so is great, but you do not get to hear another group of people you ought to be listening as well - those who've had a bad experience. You need form your own balanced view based on as much info as possible. I'd suggest you get out to as many meets as you can and ask people face to face about their experiences. You'll get a more honest appraisal and potentially avoid a costly bad choice.
It sounds like you're prepared to travel a bit so I'll throw another couple of names into the hat, based on face to face feedback from people who's opinions I trust. I suggest you consider Dream Machines and Racing Green if you must go to a main dealer. I'm pretty sure however, that provided the appropriate standards are met, i.e. the service is performed to manufacturer specifications, you can take your car where you like and the manufacturers warrantee stands. I don't believe that you can be forced to go via the dealer network and my experience is that a good independent specialist is just as competant, if not more so, than a dealer.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 25th July 13:48
Steve_T said:
It sounds like you're prepared to travel a bit so I'll throw another couple of names into the hat, based on face to face feedback from people who's opinions I trust. I suggest you consider Dream Machines and Racing Green if you must go to a main dealer. I'm pretty sure however, that provided the appropriate standards are met, i.e. the service is performed to manufacturer specifications, you can take your car where you like and the manufacturers warrantee stands. I don't believe that you can be forced to go via the dealer network and my experience is that a good independent specialist is just as competant, if not more so, than a dealer.
Steve.
Yes but...
You try selling a nearly new TVR back into the dealer network with non franchised dealer stamps in the service book.
unrepentant said:
Steve_T said:
It sounds like you're prepared to travel a bit so I'll throw another couple of names into the hat, based on face to face feedback from people who's opinions I trust. I suggest you consider Dream Machines and Racing Green if you must go to a main dealer. I'm pretty sure however, that provided the appropriate standards are met, i.e. the service is performed to manufacturer specifications, you can take your car where you like and the manufacturers warrantee stands. I don't believe that you can be forced to go via the dealer network and my experience is that a good independent specialist is just as competant, if not more so, than a dealer.
Steve.
Yes but...
You try selling a nearly new TVR back into the dealer network with non franchised dealer stamps in the service book.
Like I said, if you must have dealer stamps so be it. I gave the names of two dealers I've heard good things about from folks I trust. What I've not done is listed those I've heard bad things about and of course I cannot name the one dealer I've had staggeringly poor service from. It will take a awful lot to convince me to buy through a dealership again. There are people out there who are just about compentant enough to tie their shoe laces and yet they continue to make money from unsuspecting punters who buy simply because the dealer is franchised and no-one is allowed to mention bad news.
If you're going to chop your car in after a short period of ownership I guess you're right, it makes sense to get the stamp. If, however, your car's a keeper and you're going to hold on to it beyond the warranty period, I would take it to someone I could trust, rather than someone with a nice looking showroom.
Steve.
Edited by Steve_T on Tuesday 25th July 14:58
I cant speak highly enough of Castles in Stansted. They look after my T350 and nothing is too much trouble for them. Really nice people too, speak to Rob in the service dept. or the famous Michael Caine (Racing driver not the actor)in the sales dept. They were recommended to me at a Tvrcc meet by about 4 or 5 different people, try them you wont go wrong.
Whenever I have asked for comments on dealers etc.. I have always indicated that I am happy to be emailed with feedback off-line - if you are happy to receive emailed advice then I am sure some on here will be able to offer their negative experiences as well so that you have the balance.
I suspect every dealer has had problems occur in their past, what stands them out is how they then deal with that problem when push comes to shove. A lot of positives will come from people who have been lucky enough not to encounter any real problems yet (admittedly good news in itself) but it might not show the dealer in their real light. I notice that there are some dealers recommended on here already that I know others will be happy to regale you with stories of ineptitude, but it would need to be offline
I suspect every dealer has had problems occur in their past, what stands them out is how they then deal with that problem when push comes to shove. A lot of positives will come from people who have been lucky enough not to encounter any real problems yet (admittedly good news in itself) but it might not show the dealer in their real light. I notice that there are some dealers recommended on here already that I know others will be happy to regale you with stories of ineptitude, but it would need to be offline
Touching Cloth said:
Whenever I have asked for comments on dealers etc.. I have always indicated that I am happy to be emailed with feedback off-line - if you are happy to receive emailed advice then I am sure some on here will be able to offer their negative experiences as well so that you have the balance.
I suspect every dealer has had problems occur in their past, what stands them out is how they then deal with that problem when push comes to shove. A lot of positives will come from people who have been lucky enough not to encounter any real problems yet (admittedly good news in itself) but it might not show the dealer in their real light. I notice that there are some dealers recommended on here already that I know others will be happy to regale you with stories of ineptitude, but it would need to be offline
I suspect every dealer has had problems occur in their past, what stands them out is how they then deal with that problem when push comes to shove. A lot of positives will come from people who have been lucky enough not to encounter any real problems yet (admittedly good news in itself) but it might not show the dealer in their real light. I notice that there are some dealers recommended on here already that I know others will be happy to regale you with stories of ineptitude, but it would need to be offline
Spot on Sinclair. However, I'd go a step further. It's not just how a dealer deals with problems, but how they handle problems they have caused. It's easy enough to say, it's a TVR ,build quality is a bit variable, so you're going to have some problems because of that. What makes a dealer stand out from the crowd is when they've done something wrong. Do they say, "we're really sorry sir, what can we do to rectify things?" or "we've checked with our mechanic and he says he didn't do it."
Clearly the pixies had been sabotaging my car, because it was apparently nothing to do with the dealer.
I wish I'd done more digging before I made my purchase, because I've since discovered I'm not alone in my experience of them. Remember folks - it could be you next. Steve.
blujay10 said:
Waldenway are excellent too ! Nothing is ever too much trouble for Paul and his team 
Yes but be aware the service dept has moved from their old location. I walked into what used to be Waldenways and things looked very non-TVR. When I asekd the pimply yoof behind the counter if they were the TVR garage I was told "yes we service TVR's" when I asked if they were still Waldenway I was told "yes well er no er can you come back in an hour" to which I replied "I don't think I'll bother." I can backup the comment about Paul and his guys, they are excellent, nothing too much bother and they won't try to rip you off. I haven't used anyone else though, never needed to nor felt inclined to.
oldred said:
Yes but be aware the service dept has moved from their old location. I walked into what used to be Waldenways and things looked very non-TVR. When I asekd the pimply yoof behind the counter if they were the TVR garage I was told "yes we service TVR's" when I asked if they were still Waldenway I was told "yes well er no er can you come back in an hour" to which I replied "I don't think I'll bother."
I believe that's the outfit run by Chris, who's ex-Walldonway. They've a good rep from a few people I've spoken to, just sounds like the young lad didn't know the politically correct answer to your question! Equally, Paul and co at Walldonway are stars and have never failed to sort me out when I've needed their help.
Steve_T said:
Clearly the pixies had been sabotaging my car, because it was apparently nothing to do with the dealer.
I wish I'd done more digging before I made my purchase, because I've since discovered I'm not alone in my experience of them. Remember folks - it could be you next. You mean to say that you, Steve T, doyen of Surrey TVRCC and husband of the doyenne and font of all knowledge regarding the marque has bought a duffer? Surely some mistake.
(Is the dealer aware of your elevated status?).
unrepentant said:
Steve_T said:
Clearly the pixies had been sabotaging my car, because it was apparently nothing to do with the dealer.
I wish I'd done more digging before I made my purchase, because I've since discovered I'm not alone in my experience of them. Remember folks - it could be you next. You mean to say that you, Steve T, doyen of Surrey TVRCC and husband of the doyenne and font of all knowledge regarding the marque has bought a duffer? Surely some mistake.
(Is the dealer aware of your elevated status?).
I'm glad to see that you've picked up on my significance in the Cosmos
Have I bought a duffer? - I don't think so now, she's been fine ever since she was freed from the pixies, but it did take quite a lot of work to sort things out. Have I made a costly mistake. Yes. I would rather someone else doesn't make the same one.
Steve.
Aside: I thought you were the font of all knowledge regarding the marque Unrep?
Edited by Steve_T on Wednesday 26th July 10:28
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